Boys lacrosse: New Bern set to host first playoff match

New Bern’s Rocky Workman works to keep the ball away from Havelock’s Michael Howard during a lacrosse match earlier this season. New Bern will host Wakefield at 6 p.m. Friday for its first-ever home playoff match.

Bill Hand, Sun Journal

By Adam Thompson, Sports Editor

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 08:48 PM.

Kris Peck has seen it all, as far as lacrosse goes in New Bern.

He first picked up a lacrosse stick at 10 years old, starting in the recreation league. Since joining the New Bern High lacrosse team as a freshman, he’s been the starting goalkeeper.

Now, as a senior, Peck will defend the net at home, for the first time, in a playoff match.

“It really shows we are ready to step it up and take it to the next level,” Peck said. “I think it’s great we get to play at home. Hopefully we will have a good crowd out there.

“It kind of puts the spotlight on us.”

The Bears, in just their second season as a varsity program, will host Wakefield at 6 p.m. on Friday at Caruso-Coates Stadium in the second round of the 4A state playoffs. This will be the lacrosse team’s first home playoff game.

Prior to last season, the Bears were dubbed a club team the previous five seasons.

He first picked up a lacrosse stick at 10 years old, starting in the recreation league. Since joining the New Bern High lacrosse team as a freshman, he’s been the starting goalkeeper.

Now, as a senior, Peck will defend the net at home, for the first time, in a playoff match.

“It really shows we are ready to step it up and take it to the next level,” Peck said. “I think it’s great we get to play at home. Hopefully we will have a good crowd out there.

“It kind of puts the spotlight on us.”

The Bears, in just their second season as a varsity program, will host Wakefield at 6 p.m. on Friday at Caruso-Coates Stadium in the second round of the 4A state playoffs. This will be the lacrosse team’s first home playoff game.

Prior to last season, the Bears were dubbed a club team the previous five seasons.

“It’s huge. This is our second year in existence as a varsity sport,” said New Bern coach Steve Hopkinson. “We worked hard for five years as a club, now we are two years into a varsity sport and we are hosting our first playoff game.

“We’ve worked hard for this.”

For Peck, and the three other seniors, a home playoff game is a giant step in establishing a stable program.

“We started out as a club and now we have the support of the high school and Coach Hop here,” Peck said. “It’s been an awesome four years.

“Now, we are here hosting a playoff game. It should be exciting.”

New Bern (12-3, 8-0) went undefeated in conference play after defeating J.H. Rose in the regular-season finale last week. The Bears earned a first-round bye.

“When the offense is scoring, it kind of takes the pressure off the defense and gives us some cushion. I hope to see the offense lighting it up,” Peck said.

If New Bern advances, it will face either Wilmington Hoggard or Green Hope on Tuesday.

Hopkinson is hoping fans will come out to enjoy an entertaining lacrosse match.

“It’s a fast sport. It’s very active and exciting,” he said. “Everybody on the field could possibly take the ball up and score. It’s very fluid and transitional. A score can change in a matter of seconds.

“It’s a Native American sport. I don’t know if people know that, but the Indians started it and played it in the United States.”